2013 Conference

Health

Food

Creating a healthy nation, including addressing the alarmingly high rate of childhood obesity, is one of America’s top priorities. One of the risk factors for obesity is the hours that children are spending in front of a television or computer screen. The more time children watch television, the more likely they are to eat while doing so and the more likely they are to eat the high-calorie foods that are commonly advertised on television. To effectively address childhood obesity, research is needed that takes into account family environment where children are raised. The purpose of this research is to gain in-depth understanding of the interplay between family environment and childhood obesity in rural, low-income families using a mixed-method research approach. The results of this study indicate that families who are low-income and live in rural areas need assistance to gain knowledge and skills to live healthy lifestyles.  Mothers have a great impact on the foods and drinks their children consume and how their children spend their time, especially on young children. Many of the mothers did not receive support from their family growing up, but they often use their personal experiences to raise their children.  Mothers have a desire to help their children be healthy.  Living in a rural community creates many barriers to living a healthy lifestyle.  In order to prevent or intervene in growing childhood obesity in rural communities, families need support and resources to learn about proper nutrition and how to encourage a healthy lifestyle for their children.